Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Case Report

Partial spontaneous remission of small cell lung carcinoma with neurologic symptom: Kyung Hyun Yun, Sung Heon Song, Chung Hyoun Kim, Chan Hee Hwang, Jun Ho Lee, Je Hyoung Choi, Sun Young Kim; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2017;34(2):275-278. Published online December 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2017.34.2.275

Abstract PDF: Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is a cancer that shows aggressive behavior, early spread to distant sites, and frequent association with distinct paraneoplastic syndromes. Spontaneous remission of cancer, particularly of SCLC, is a rare biological event. Cases involving spontaneous regression of SCLC were reported, and were associated with paraneoplastic syndromes of the nervous system. This article reports on a 78-year-old man with SCLC in remission, with neurological symptoms. The patient visited the hospital because of generalized weakness, and imaging studies revealed a mass in the lower lobe of the left lung, pathological evaluation showed SCLC. The patient refused oncologic treatment and was treated only with conservative care. In follow-up study the diameter of the mass had decreased from initial 32 mm, 9 months after admission to 20 mm, 17 months after admission to 13 mm. The patient kept complaining of generalized weakness, dizziness, and paresthesia of limbs. We assumed that, in this case, the spontaneous remission of lung cancer was related to the immunologic response directed against the tumor, which is believed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes.

Original Article

Weekly irinotecan and carboplatin for patients with small cell lung cancer.: Hye Won Lee, Eu Gene Jeong, Dong Hyun Kim, Hyuk Lee, Bo Hyoung Kang, Soo Jung Um, Meesook Roh, Choonhee Son; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2014;31(2):82-88. Published online December 31, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2014.31.2.82

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and in Korea, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most deadly tumor type in the different lung cancer histology. Chemotherapy is the main strategy of the treatment for SCLC, and etoposide and platinum regimen has been the only standard chemotherapy for about 30 years. To test feasibility of weekly divided dose irinotecan and carboplatin for Korean patients is the aim of this study. METHODS: Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed extensive stage SCLC were included. Patients with limited stage (LD), who could not tolerate concurrent chemoradiotherapy were also included. All the patients received irinotecan 60 mg/m2, carboplatin 2 area under the curve at day 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. Study regimen was discontinued when the disease progressed or intolerable side effects occurred. No more than 6 cycles of chemotherapy were given. RESULTS: Total 47 patients were enrolled, among them 9 patients were LD. Overall response rate was 74.5% (complete response, 14.9%; partial response, 59.6%). Side effects greater than grade 3 were neutropenia (25.5%), fatigue (12.8%), thrombocytopenia (8.5%), sepsis (4.3%), and pancytopenia (2.1%). There was no treatment related death. CONCLUSION: Weekly divided irinotecan and carboplatin regimen is effective, and safe as a first line therapy for both stage of SCLC. Large scaled, controlled study is feasible.

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